yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
Please read the original post.

As I mentioned, you have to be completely stock for the OTA to work ad it is a delta update and not a full ROM/image.

Accordingly to your set up, you aren't even close to being stock. Since you are running a custom ROM you have to flash the entire factory image fro 4.4.2 to receive an OTA update.

Sent from my Nexus 5
[Nexus 5 General] walpurgisnacht30:
I have read the original post, just a little bit confused here.

So, is it possible to flash from custom recovery? Or sould be from pc? And also I'm running stock rom.
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
Sorry I misread your post as a stock ROM and not a recovery. I had just woken up. :)

Yes, the OTA can be flashed with a custom recovery, but if you're not completely stock it will fail. So if you have any deleted apps, mods, or custom kernels; you'll need to get your phone back to stock before flashing the OTA.

Sent from my Nexus 5
[Nexus 5 General] walpurgisnacht30:
Alright thanks man! *clicking thanks button* *cheers*
[Nexus 5 General] mokee92:
clarification

If I have an unlocked bootloader and im rooted with a custom recovery (TWRP), I can just flash the OTA using TWRP? like I dont have to wipe anything, Dalvik, Cache etc?
[Nexus 5 General] abaaaabbbb63:
If you have the stock ROM and kernel then yes, you can flash the OTA without wiping cache and dalvik, although it's recommended.

Don't forget to backup first!
[Nexus 5 General] mokee92:
Thanks sir. I really appreciate it.
[Nexus 5 General] xPeriaGUY666:
Hey guys,

I'm on stock unlocked & rooted rom. If i do a backup of it and then go for a custom rom for some time and then I go back to stock from my backup (TWRP), would i be able to flash an official update zip ???
[Nexus 5 General] gee2012:
Sure, if the rom is stock (rom, recovery and kernel) and you haven`t changed or deleted system apps you`re good to go.
[Nexus 5 General] david31262:
TWRP Isn't Stock

But, he has TWRP which isn't stock. I guess he could first reflash an original recovery. On the last go-around (4.4.2) I was stock with TWRP/Root. I was notified of the OTA update and took it.

It installed ok, but I lost TWRP and Root. Had to reinstall those.

Next time I'll try and wait for someone to post the update so I can flash it through TWRP.
[Nexus 5 General] gee2012:
Look here for that http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2523217. Better use search next time instead of waiting for others :)
[Nexus 5 General] xPeriaGUY666:
I'm having some serious issues of recovery (sometimes it ask for password (which f*cking password !?!?) and it doesn't show any of my backups neither my themes, etc...), can i flash a file to get back to stock recovery (maybe the 4.4.1 to 4.4.2 ??) and maybe solce the problem ?? Btw i'm on stock 4.4.2 root + twrp 2.6.3.4
[Nexus 5 General] gee2012:
OTA flashing time will come pretty soon it seems, build KTU83 spotted on N5 and N7 :)
[Nexus 5 General] bozzykid:
Spotted on N5's in the wild or just Google employees phones? We've seen about 5 different leaked build numbers since the latest official release.
[Nexus 5 General] gee2012:
I guess in the wild during (final) testing but not sure, scource http://www.myce.com/news/nexus-7-al...3-update-3-day-old-build-ktu83-spotted-70973/. Doesn`t matter much though, it won`t take long anymore before roll-out.
[Nexus 5 General] bozzykid:
Oh, well those are just internal builds and do not mean anything is imminent. We see these "news" articles all the time.
[Nexus 5 General] LeoRex:
I wouldn't worry too much, once the OTA is released, it'll show up here pretty quick. And the devs will have it integrated into their own builds nearly as quickly.
[Nexus 5 General] persianrisk:
This question is in regards to updating to the 4.4.3 update that should be coming out soon.......

I have a question about Special Scenario # 1 , I am currently on 4.4.2 ROOTED with TWRP Recovery & SuperSU 1.93 and some very minor modifications (speaker volume boost) and system .apk deletions of system apps I did not want (NO custom kernel though) and I want to update to 4.4.3 (when that update comes out without losing root).

In the instructions for says "downloaded factory image from https://developers.google.com/androi...ges#hammerhead" --> Do I download the "4.4" factory image, or, "4.4.2" factory image? Sorry maybe the answer sounds obvious but I don't want to take risks and I just want to make sure I don't ruin my device. Obviously I'll be making a backup using Titanium or another app before I do this.

Thanks
[Nexus 5 General] jd1639:
The good news is either would work and there is very little risk. But I'd use the 4.4.2

Sent from my Nexus 5
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
Technically, you could flash either one. Since most users are on 4.4.2, that is the OTA link we are probably going to get first.

For your set-up though, you probably just need to flash the system.img from the 4.4.2. factory image.
[Nexus 5 General] persianrisk:
Thank you so much jd1639 and El Daddy. I appreciate your great support.
[Nexus 5 General] _jordan_:
So I can be stock, with a custom recovery, and root... and the OTA will work?

Isnt supersu a system app, and the root functions it offers are considered a change that the OTA would reject?

Thanks. Just clarifying.
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
Yes, It will work. It may fail if the OTA is pushed to your phone and you apply it from android. If you download the OTA.zip and flash it from recovery you'll be fine.

Additions to /system are ok. Deletions and modifications are not.
[Nexus 5 General] _jordan_:
OK thank you brother. Time to root.
[Nexus 5 General] GR0S:
Can I sideload ota with tarp, xposed, supersu installed?
[Nexus 5 General] spaceman860:
Not with xposed it will fail.

Sent from my NEXUS 5
[Nexus 5 General] _jordan_:
I'm on the stock ROM with root. Thinking of installing busybox... Will that mess up ota's?
[Nexus 5 General] gee2012:
Look here for what aBusyBox is and does http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BusyBox, and yes this will change the system afaik so OTA`s wouldn`t be installed. But look here also to install with root and BB http://xdaforums.com/google-nexus-5/general/info-nexus-5-ota-help-desk-t2523217.
[Nexus 5 General] _jordan_:
^ Thanks. I figured it would block otas, which is why I asked.

Appreciate the links.
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
As [MENTION=2743227]gee2012[/MENTION] mentioned and as listed in the OP, any deletion or modification to /system will cause the OTA to fail. It doesn't mean you can't make those modifications; Most paths back to an OTA flashable state are in the OP. If you do decide to change some stuff, we'll be here to get you back to a state where an OTA will flash.
[Nexus 5 General] _jordan_:
The explanation in the OP is inadequate. Modifications to /system like superuser apps and binaries apparently have no effect on ota updates, yet other modifications like xposed do.

I want to thank everyone for their quick replies. This is an awesome thread with lots of good info in it, but it seems some mods to /system are ok, and others are not.

Just wanted to clarify before getting in too deep. I'm sure everyone can understand.
[Nexus 5 General] efrant:
I think the point was missed: you cannot modify or delete existing files in /system. Other than that you can modify /system however you want. If you install busybox to a location where it doesn't delete or modify any existing files , no problem. With Xposed, it changes existing files, so obviously it will block any OTA from applying. Install su does not modify or delete existing files , so no problem. If you install a random app to /system, no problem, as it does not modify or delete existing files . Is this clear?
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
I've edited the OP to clarify that "existing" /system files cannot be modified to prevent further confusion.

Thanks
[Nexus 5 General] _jordan_:
@ eftant and el daddy. Thanks gentlemen. Appreciate the clarifications.

@ efrant. Your gnex guide helped me figure out fastboot back when that was my main device.
[Nexus 5 General] MarkFromLondon:
OK, now that 4.4.3 is just around the corner, I need to know if the updates for the GPU drivers I just installed will cause a problem for OTA? I have Xposed and can uninstall that but I'm not sure about the driver update. Cheers!
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
It will definitely stop the OTA from completing. As posted in my OP, any modifications will cause it to fail.

There is a back to stop zip in that thread to revert the changes.
[Nexus 5 General] MarkFromLondon:
I did a nandroid backup before I installed the drivers. I'm going to revert to where I was before and then uninstall Xposed when 4.4.3 comes along. That should make me OK? Then I can apply OTA as if I have unlocked bootloader, root and custom recovery?

Thanks for your help!
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
Yes, if your Nandroid backup is from a "stock" state it will work.
[Nexus 5 General] MarkFromLondon:
Ah, no. My nandroid backup is not stock. It is rooted but contains Xposed. I can uninstall that nearer the time.
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
All that matters is you get to a stock state before flashing the OTA. It doesn't matter how you get there. If you flash your nandroid and then remove Xposed that's fine.
[Nexus 5 General] D.D.P.:
Great thread!
[Nexus 5 General] MarkFromLondon:
Just one more question then..

If I uninstall Xposed, what happens to the modules? Will they be uninstalled as well?

---------- Post added at 01:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:21 AM ----------

Just one more question then..

If I uninstall Xposed, what happens to the modules? Will they be uninstalled as well?
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
I'm not entirely familiar with Xposed as I have never used it.

As far as I can tell, Xposed is stagnant if it's not enabled. When enabled Xposed modifies /system/bin/app_process.

So when you uninstall it from within the Xposed app, it reverts /system/bin/app_process to stock. You aren't actually removing Xposed and you modules will still be there as well.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.
[Nexus 5 General] MarkFromLondon:
OK thanks. I'll see how it goes.

When the next OTA comes along I'll uninstall it and see what happens. If the worst comes to the worst I'll try a factory reset and then restore from Titanium backup.
[Nexus 5 General] lpasq:
This is correct.
[Nexus 5 General] _jordan_:
Thanks. I had this question as well regarding the GPU drivers.
[Nexus 5 General] Anderson2:
Thank you for taking the time to share your ota knowledge with us. I am getting ready for when 4.4.3 arrives and want to make sure I've got it correct.

I'm rooted, 4.2.2 KOT49H, stock rom

- except that I froze some system apps like Google search, Google books, etc.

- and have Xposed installed

I do have nandroid and tibu backups and I realize I will need to uninstall Xposed before accepting the ota.

My question is:

Do I need to unfreeze the pre-installed apps like google+, Google search, etc. first? Or can I accept the ota with these apps frozen?

Thank you.
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
Frozen apps are OK. Removed apps are not. :)
[Nexus 5 General] scottspa74:
Great guide. ! Haven't read whole thread yet. My girl just got tmo n5. (US). Was wondering what is the beat/easiest way to back up stock recovery so OTAs can come thru.

I Gd up when I got my mom a GNex and rooted it right away then later learned you need the stock recovery to get OTAs. So, how to backup stock recovery when doing the bootloader unlock to get custom recovery. Thanks all. New to nexus, been using HTC devices since '08
[Nexus 5 General] gee2012:
Download the factory image and extract it with 7-zip (or similar) and flash recovery.img in fastboot. In cmd type: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img and that should do it. Don`t think you can only backup recovery, best is to make a nandroid backup and restore it.

-Edit- you can backup your current recovery with Flashify.
[Nexus 5 General] efrant:
Although what you said is much easier (i.e., just extract the recovery from the stock image), you can also back up your recovery using a custom recovery: download a custom recovery file to your PC, rename it to customrecovery.img and use: fastboot boot customrecovery.img That will boot the recovery image from your PC, then you can make a backup of the stock recovery currently flashed on you device. This came in handy on the GNex, for which certain models' stock recoveries were different from the stock recovery contained in the factory image. This is no longer the case with the case for the N4 or N5.
[Nexus 5 General] Charlus97:
Hi guys,

Just to be sure : My N5 is rooted, with CWM recovery, xposed and a custom kernel. So, I need to flash the boot.img (getting back to original kernel), the system img (xposed and kernel /system edits), and, after that, flash the Ota with recovery ?

Thanks :)
[Nexus 5 General] efrant:
that will work just fine, yes. (Although if the factory images are out at the same time as the OTA update, just flash the system and bot images from that and forget about the OTA. It'll save you a few steps, and the end result is identical.
[Nexus 5 General] pikachukaki:
Im sure that im not going to take OTA so just waiting for someone to post it!!
[Nexus 5 General] Roscopcoletrain:
Ok, got my N5 last week. Used to run custom roms on my Ns, gnex & N4.

With this I've only rooted, superSU installed and have twrp flashed. I was told I could download the ota update(when it comes), flash that then the the superSU.img and should be good. But I\ve also installed busybox. Is this going to cause issues? Can i just uninstall it?
[Nexus 5 General] DigitalUnderground:
I restored my stock, unrooted backup. All system apps are installed so I'm good there. I flashed xposed disabler zip to fix that. I'm on the stock kernel.

The thing is... I still have twrp 2.7.0.0... Will that cause an issue or should I root quick, flashify the stock recovery and go from there?

I remember I had an issue with twrp installing 4.4.1 ota but it could have been due to other modifications I wasn't would block the ota
[Nexus 5 General] bokagavrilov:
well just to be sure download the google images for your devices from https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images and flash the system.img and kernel.img it takes 2mins to flash like that you will be sure that it will work, thats what i always do :o:good:

(meybe recovery.img too if there are any updates to it but usually minor updates work at last the past few did work with twrp )
[Nexus 5 General] toxicpaulution:
My nexus is coming sometime this week. Maybe I was lucky and already had it installed xD who knows. Crossing fingers.
[Nexus 5 General] Roscopcoletrain:
you'd probably be prompted to update after you power it on
[Nexus 5 General] Mindspin_311:
Would being stock ROM + xposed/gravitybox, unlocked/rooted, stock kernel be considered scenario 2 or 3?
[Nexus 5 General] Roscopcoletrain:
I downloaded the factory img, unzipped, got system.img but don't see kernel.img anywhere??
[Nexus 5 General] david279:
Boot.img
[Nexus 5 General] bokagavrilov:
As David says its boot.img sorry ;)
[Nexus 5 General] vin4yak:
There will be a boot.img file... That's the kernel :)
[Nexus 5 General] Roscopcoletrain:
Ok. So what Im gonna do right now, uninstall busy box, boot to recovery, flash system.img & boot.img, reboot and I should be good. Will I need to flash superSU too to keep root? I assume this is going to wipe some stuff flashing system?
[Nexus 5 General] jj14:
Not sure why you'd think it would be scenario 2... given that you have XPosed installed
[Nexus 5 General] bokagavrilov:
Ehm this is what you need to do is you want to return to stock ...

Reboot to bootloader and flash the images using fastboot (they aren't zips so you can't flash them tough the recovery ) and you are good to go. It won't wipe anything except for system level modifications..apps won't be touched or sdcard because they are in the userdata (if you flash that it will wipe your whole device even sd card ). To gain root access again it will be enough to flash SuperSU's zip. But I won't recommend it until you haven't completed the Ota
[Nexus 5 General] vin4yak:
Yes, you will need to flash the supersu.zip again if you want root access...
[Nexus 5 General] Claghorn:
Here's a new scenario I don't see above: I'm stock, but installed SuperSu via booting TWRP over USB (did not replace stock recovery). I assume I'll be able to get the OTA since I think that merely adds a file without changing anything (but I guess I'll find out when the OTA shows up).
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
If the OTA is actually pushed today and we get the URL, would someone please PM me with the URL?

I'm mobile all day and I want to get the URL in the OP as quickly as possible.

Thanks!
[Nexus 5 General] C3C076:
Just a small comment on this section if I may. Typically it's enough to uninstall xposed framework (not the complete app, just a framework) keeping modules installed. (They are normal apps that won't affect OTA). The advantage is the modules settings will be preserved and the one and only step necessary to get xposed up and running after OTA would be to install xposed framework and reboot.
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
Thanks for this. You are correct.
[Nexus 5 General] :
Hi,

Yes you need to go into Xposed Framework, Framework-> Uninstall (it will restore the original file "app_process") then reboot.

If you just uninstall Xposed Framework (the app itself), even after a reboot the "app_process" file (in /system/bin) is still the modified one by Xposed Framework, the original file is not restored.

:)
[Nexus 5 General] Mindspin_311:
Alright, so via the Xposed app, I uninstall the framework only. I can keep the Installer app on the phone. Then flash the OTA via recovery, then re-install the framework and the modules should immediately become active again?
[Nexus 5 General] A1ps:
That's excellent news. Really wouldn't be too keen to install and setup all my modules.

My only concern is, is Android OTA the same as Apple's OTA? My friend who has an iPhone had a FW update automatically installed on his phone. This messed up his Jailbreak.

If Android is the same, where would one turn off the auto OTA?
[Nexus 5 General] jj14:
One small thing that I'd add to clarify it further - users should not go into settings/apps and uninstall the xposed framework from there. Instead, go into the XPosed Installer app itself (from the app drawer), tap on Framework (at the top), , and tap the "Uninstall" button there.

This will actually restore the system file that was updated to install the framework.

If you uninstall Xposed itself from settings/apps, it doesn't get a chance to restore the system files that were updated, and so, you will have trouble applying the OTA zip file. (you can flash boot.img to get back to stock if this happens)

Oops - just noticed that [MENTION=2920816]Hammer_Of_The_Gods[/MENTION] already mentioned this

Android OTA updates do not automatically get installed. You get notified about the update, and then, you have to tap on that notification to get the option to install the update.
[Nexus 5 General] C3C076:
... root needs to be done after OTA of course , prior to installing xposed framework again. (Provided there's no "root survival" feature active)
[Nexus 5 General] [XIX]Secutor:
Hi guys! I'm trying to prepare my nexus for the imminent(?) OTA and I would be sure that the steps that I'm going to make are correct.

My Nexus is running stock rom with root, xposed+gravity box and clockworkmod recovery. I didn't remove/freeze any system app, but I've put two apps in priv/app (Cerberus and Viber4android) to use them as system ones.

So, I'm going to revert/remove what can interfere with the OTA and then flash the OTA zip file.

These are the mods that I have, so please help me to confirm or correct me if I'm wrong ;):

Mods that I know I MUST revert:

Xposed (I have to remove the framework and then remove the app)

Cerberus (that I've installed like a system app)

AdFree (I probably have to restore the original host file, then remove the app)

Viber (Remove the custom audio driver, then remove the app, installed in priv/app)

Revert modifications in mixer_paths.xml for audio gain

Mods that I probably have to revert:

Busybox (installed via busybox installer)

Mods that I don't know if I have to remove:

Stickmount

ADB insecure

Thanks for your help :fingers-crossed:
[Nexus 5 General] david279:
You could just flash system.img if your close to a PC.
[Nexus 5 General] [XIX]Secutor:
And doing this I can avoid to manually revert all the mods that I've listed, even xposed?
[Nexus 5 General] david279:
Yea. Then redo them after you install the ota and root.
[Nexus 5 General] [XIX]Secutor:
Well thanks mate, I'll do it then :highfive:
[Nexus 5 General] ZacksBuilds:
Replying for info.

Sent from my PARANOID Nexus 5 with Franco r39 powered by ART.
[Nexus 5 General] polska2180o:
Hi first time going through this so i want to make sure i'm clear when it comes to updating a nexus device.

I have a rooted stock N5 with Xposed installed and custom recovery. So...

1. I assume an OTA update i receive will fail correct? If not will it unroot me?

2. To update somebody will post a rooted version of the stock update so that i can flash?

3. I will need to unistall Xposed the famework (not the app) before flashing

4. When flashing do I need to clear anything out...catch etc?
[Nexus 5 General] BabboDemonio:
1) Yes, if you manage to install OTA it will unroot your phone

2) The update is not rooted, you have to root your phone again after the OTA

3)Yes

4) I don't think it's necessary
[Nexus 5 General] matts290:
Is there a guide out there to rooting the Nexus 5 on OS X Mavericks? I have seen some guides how to use the CF Auto root toolkit or whatever, but was wondering if there was a OS X version of this: http://xdaforums.com/google-nexus-5/general/guide-nexus-5-how-to-unlock-bootloader-t2507905

Also, I was planning on rooting this evening but I am assuming the logical choice would be to wait until the 4.4.3 OTA comes through so I don't just lose root once I update, right? Thanks, been away from the Android game for a little while so not as knowledgeable as I used to be.
[Nexus 5 General] svarte:
I had accidentally uninstalled the pre-installed g+ and later installed it from Google play. Does it count as a modified system app, since it was pre-installed;

Στάλθηκε από το Nexus 5 μου χρησιμοποιώντας Tapatalk
[Nexus 5 General] _jordan_:
No, since it is now most likely installed under /data and not /system
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
Mac commands are the same except use ./ in front of each command. And yes, the OTA will cause you to lose root, so it's probably best to wait. :)

Any system apps that are removed will cause the OTA to fail. You must revert the change with the original .apk that was packaged with KOT49H
[Nexus 5 General] svarte:
Thanks.any easy way to do it?

Also, when I uninstall xposed, why should I go to section A and not section B?

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[Nexus 5 General] Zyphur:
I'm Stock Rom, Custom Kernel, and Xposed installed.

Which one would I fall into? Scenario 5?
[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
The easiest way is to flash just the system.img for KOT49H. Otherwise, you can extract the .apk and push it back to /system/app/

Section A is for the stock recovery and Section B is for custom. I will clarify that in the OP. Thanks.
[Nexus 5 General] svarte:
Thanks.

Btw if I use Gravitybox , should I do anything else, or by just uninstalling xposed I'll be fine?

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[Nexus 5 General] El Daddy:
Yes. Flashing the system.img will overwrite any changes Xposed makes. However, it may be wise to uninstall Xposed first following section C, them moving on to Section D2, just in case. :)
[Nexus 5 General] momomok:
just uninstall xposed framework, GravityBox is just an app (from OS perspective)
[Nexus 5 General] bmaster7:
Hello fellow Nexus users, and thanks in advance for your assistance. I have not seen anyone answer this yet. I am stock with root with stock recovery. I have superuser installed, but also the upgraded version that tries to keep root after an ota. Do we know yet if I can do the ota or do I need to sideload it. I want to keep root access if possible. Thanks again!
[Nexus 5 General] aavvaallooss:
If get los you can root again